February is Disaster Prepardness Month – Its up to YOU to be READY

If your heat goes out during a winter storm, you can keep warm by closing off rooms you don’t need. Dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a hat. If it gets colder, you can avoid hypothermia by wearing layers of dry clothes, a hat and blankets. Hypothermia, caused by exposure to cold, lowers the body’s temperature and can seriously threaten your health. Infants and the elderly are especially at risk. Warning signs of hypothermia include speech, drowsiness and disorientation.

· Listen to the for weather and information updates. If you do not have a battery-powered radio, use your car radio. If you are using your car radio, do not run your car for extended periods of time in a closed or open garage.

· Start thinking about what you would need to do if you had to leave your house and go to a shelter or friend’s house.

There may be times when you have to leave your home until the storm is over and utilities have been restored. If you live in an area where evacuations are likely, you should have the bulk of your family’s disaster supplies packed in an easy-to-carry container and ready to go quickly. Use the checklist below to help you prepare.

· Change of cloths and footwear for everyone in the family.

· Sleeping bag/blanket and pillow for everyone in the family.

· Cash/Travelers checks/credit cards

· Insurance agents telephone number

· Medical insurance provider and doctor’s names, addresses and phone numbers

· Prescription medications

· Medical supplies and equipment – denture needs, crutches, prostheses, first aid manual

· Contact lenses and supplies, extra pair of eye glasses

· Hygiene/toiletry supplies

· Infant and small children’s needs – baby food, formula, disposable diapers, toys

· Telephone numbers of family and friends

· Extra set of keys, both house and car

· Drivers license or personal identification

· Valuable personal papers that are in the home

If you evacuate because of a flood, do not drive around barricades; they are there for your safety. I your car stalls in rapidly rising water abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. For weather related storms that require you to evacuate plan a predetermined route and phone ahead your route and destination. If you get stuck follow these guidelines.

· Stay in your car. Do not try to walk to safety.

· Tie a brightly colored cloth preferably red to the antenna for rescuers to see

· Start the car and use the heater for 10 minutes every hour. This will provide heat and help recharge your car’s battery. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so exhaust does not back up into the car

· Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so your car can be seen.

· As you sit , keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm

· Keep one window (away from the blowing wind) slightly open to let in air.

Have the following items in your car for emergencies:

· Shovel – Windshield scraper

· Blankets/sleeping bags

· Water – Snack food

· Hat and mittens for everyone in the car

· Boots and rain gear for everyone in the car

· Toolkit and Flashlight with extra batteries

· Cellular phone

The Grand Island Citizens Corp and CERT Team urge all citizens to plan ahead for emergencies. For additional information you can contact the following web sites; www.nyhealth.com, www.fema.gov, www.semo.state.ny.us, www.redcross.org, www.salvationarmyusa.org.

This article was prepared from booklets and literature from the above listed web sites.

Submitted by Nicole Gerber, Nancy Koch and Dick Crawford.